MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - Provincial officials elevated the wildfire danger rating to extreme across the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area Saturday after five new wildfires ignited in the area recent days.
Parts of Mountain View County are included in the forest area, namely west of Sundre and Bergen, covering Coal Camp and Bearberry west of Range Road 60 from Township Road 312 to the north boundary of the county.
"The wildfire danger is now extreme in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area," the province said in its May 3 update for the forest protection area. "Dead and dry vegetation continues to be a major concern, as it is highly flammable and provides an easily available fuel source for wildfires."
With warm temperatures expected to continue over the next few days, the wildfire danger is expected to remain elevated.
"Significant precipitation will be necessary to help reduce the wildfire danger," the update noted.
On Thursday, two wildfires were discovered in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area while three more were discovered on Friday.
Firefighters, with support from air operations, extinguished all of them except for one -- RWF029 -- that was discovered yesterday. .
"This wildfire is currently 0.30 hectares in size and is classified as under control, meaning it has received sufficient suppression action to prevent further spread," the province noted in the May 3 update.
Since January 1, 2025 there have been 29 wildfires in the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area, burning a total of 85.53 hectares.
"High temperatures, strong winds and an excess of dry vegetation have created ideal conditions for new wildfires to start," the May 3 update noted.
A fire advisory was issued for the Rocky Mountain House Forest Area Thursday, April 24 and remains in effect.
While existing fire permits remain valid, new permits will be issued on a case-by-case basis.
The following activities are still allowed:
• safe wood campfires on private land including provincial campgrounds with a designated fire ring
• backyard fire pits
• propane fire pits and natural gas-powered appliances
• barbecue charcoal briquettes
• indoor wood fires
• open flame oil devices
Another portion of Mountain View County is in the Calgary Forest Area, namely west of Range Road 54 from Township Road 310 to the south boundary of the county west of Water Valley.The wildfire danger in the Calgary Forest Area was elevated to high on May 2.
